Why am I so nervous about buying Target shoes?

[WatchingThemGrow]

After spending hours getting measured at SR this week, toying with the HA fisherman sandals, and finding the best deal on SRs online, I did something I've never done before...

I tried sandals on DD and DS in Target and actually bought them today. Both pairs actually bent, which is something I hadn't experienced before there.

She got these white sandals and he got these navy sandals.

We've only ever done SKR, SR maybe an Ecco from Marshall's or Crocs. Are they going to cause blisters and fit poorly most of the summer, or do you think they will survive? I figure this won't be a summer of a ton of outings for our family, so they won't get THAT much use. I plan on getting DS some SR sneakers.

What's your experience with cheap non-leather Target sandals?

[elektra]

My niece has those exact Circo white ones. I think SIL usually sticks to SR too but they both seem to like these too. I'll have to ask her tomorrow when I see her.

[Indianamom2]

I love Target's kids shoes. I am just not going to pay $60 for a pair of Stride Rite shoes that she will outgrow in 3-4 months. Besides that, my daughter has complained more about those shoes than any others (when I have bought SR on sale).

As long as they fit fairly well, your kids will be just fine. They hold up great and there are plenty of options.

Christina

[Mommy Of A Little Angel]

DD has pretty much See Kai Run shoes but I was in a bind one day and needed white sandals. I bought a cheap pair at Target and honestly, they have held up so much better than our See Kai Run white sandals. I am still biased against them, but they have faired much better through DD playing outside in them! DH told me to only buy her white sandals at Target!

[LarsMal]

DD had white Circo sandals last summer. They were great! They lasted the whole summer. They're still in pretty good shape- too bad they don't fit anymore!

I haven't gotten DS any shoes from Target, but DD has had several pair. I've never had any problems with them. The SR shoes I got them last spring/summer gave them both blisters while breaking them in!

[g-mama]

I've bought many shoes from Target and have had zero problems. Don't worry! Your kids' feet will not be permanently scarred.

[AngelaS]

My firstborn wore pretty much only Target shoes. Her sister wear their share of them as well. I've never had a problem with them wearing out prematurely or my girls complaining that they don't fit well.

[brittone2]

Flexibility is my primary concern (and I am picky about shoes). I worked in EI as a PT, and my kids have worn flexible cheapo shoes more than once. As long as they are *very* flexible, I don't care. DS has had some great (and very flexible) shoes from Payless and Old Navy before. Most cheapo shoes aren't very flexible, but as long as they have a lot of flex, I wouldn't worry at all, cheap or not (and I do often shell out for shoes from Soft Star, etc. but I won't snub a great deal on an inexpensive, flexible shoe that fits my DC)

[hollybloom24]

I buy lots of shoes for my kids at Target and have never had a problem. The quality has been excellent too!

I also buy Stride Rite, but in all honesty I do think they try to pray on our parenting fears by sending the message that if you don't buy Stride Rite, your kids' feet will be scarred for life!

[brittone2]

Originally Posted by hollybloom24

I buy lots of shoes for my kids at Target and have never had a problem. The quality has been excellent too!

I also buy Stride Rite, but in all honesty I do think they try to pray on our parenting fears by sending the message that if you don't buy Stride Rite, your kids' feet will be scarred for life!

And the funny thing is that I have found in the past (from reading here and my own experience) that in many cases the SR sales people push too much sole and not enough flexibility for little ones. I have actually never bought SR as a result. The two or three times I've wandered in there they have tried to put my kids in something w/ way more sole than they were ready for (from the perspective of a former EI PT).